NOTES OF A HUNTER. 117 



with a patent water-proof safety top and German silver 

 mountings ; but they are scarce and costly. The lightest and 

 best camp-kettle is of " pressed tin." One of from three to 

 four quarts is worth about one dollar, and is sufficient for 

 two or three persons. It is very light and convenient, and 

 should have a lid or cover with a wire handle which will fold 

 down sideways, so that when inverted it could be used as a 

 dish. The rim of this lid, or dish, should be quite broad, so 

 as to make it capacious. It might be used to hold a portion 

 of the contents of the kettle, mush or potatoes, &c. There 

 should be a light wire chain attached to the handle of the 

 pail by which to suspend it. For a hunting-knife, I use a 

 bowie, and have found it an excellent tool. The sheath 

 which comes with a knife is not good for much. I generally 

 replace it with a strong wooden one, covered with leather. 

 I take a flat piece of strong wood of the requisite shape} and 

 saw into it lengthwise the blade of the knife to be laid, 

 edge first or down, into the space cut by the saw, and the back 

 being towards the opening. This wooden case prevents the 

 knife from cutting you, in case you should fall upon it, of 

 which there is great danger where the ordinary pasteboard, 

 leather-covered sheath is used. The sheath and knife should 

 be attached to the belt by a frog, which should not be a per- 

 manent portion of the sheath. The army '* camp knife " is 

 a very nice thing for hunters ; you have your spoon, fork, and 

 knife in very compact shape cost, one dollar and a half. 

 A saw and an auger, with some large spikes, wrought nails, 

 butts or hinges, staples, and a padlock or bolt are needed 

 around the " home shanty." They tend to " make things 

 comfortable " and safe. Your matches should be of the best ; 

 lucifers, or " Vienne water-proof." Their tips only are water- 

 proof. I render them absolutely water-proof by dipping them 

 in a solution of shell-lac in alcohol. This makes the " sticks " 

 of the matches quite impervious to moisture. The solution of 

 shell-lac, should not be too thick, or they will not burn well. 

 When properly prepared in this manner, they may be im- 

 mersed in water for twenty-four hours, and will then (if taken 

 out and wiped dry) instantly ignite and burn well. As a final 



